Kubuntu Precise Introduction

General Notes

This is the original Kubuntuguide. You are free to copy this guide but not to sell it or any derivative of it. This Kubuntu help guide is neither sold nor distributed in any other medium. Beware of copies that are for sale or are similarly named; they are neither endorsed nor sanctioned by this guide. Kubuntuguide is not associated with Canonical Ltd. nor with any commercial enterprise.
Kubuntu allows a user to accomplish tasks from either a menu-driven Graphical User Interface (GUI) or from a text-based command-line interface (CLI). In Kubuntu, the command-line-interface terminal is called Konsole, which is started: K menu -> System -> Konsole Terminal.

In this guide, text inside the grey dotted box like this should be put into a Konsole terminal.

Many changes to the operating system can only be done by a User with Administrative privileges. "kdesudo" or "sudo" elevates a User's privileges to the Administrator level temporarily (i.e. when installing programs or making changes to the system). Example:

sudo bash

"kdesudo" should be used instead of "sudo" when opening a Graphical Application (such as the graphical text-editor application kate), which can be done from the command-line terminal, through the "Run Command" dialog box, or as part of the command for starting an application from a menu item. Historically "kdesudo" preserved permissions within the Xwindows environment better (and "sudo" sometimes made undesirable permission changes). While this behaviour does not seem to occur very often any longer, "kdesudo" has always been regarded as safer to use. ("kdesu" was also previously available as well but has now been phased out.) Example:

kdesudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list

Many file management tasks can be accomplished with root Administrative privileges by starting the Dolphin file manager in a similar fashion. (This can be used as a menu item.)

kdesudo dolphin

"man" command can be used to find help manual for a specific command. E.g. "man sudo" will display the manual page for the "sudo" command. Example:

man sudo

While "apt-get" is a fast way of installing programs/packages, you can also use the Muon Package Manager (or even the Synaptic Package Manager), a GUI method for installing programs/packages. Most (but not all) programs/packages available with apt-get install will also be available from Muon Package Manager (or Synaptic Package Manager). In this guide, when you see

sudo apt-get install package

you can search for package in Muon Package Manger (or Synaptic) and install it that way.

Many instructions use the text editor "nano" (which is universally available in Linux). However, it is often easier to use the text editor "kate" in Kubuntu instead.
"K" or "K menu" means the bottom-left (or upper-left) button, akin to the Start button in Microsoft Windows®.
If you are using the 64-bit version, replace any "i386" with "amd64".

In Konsole type:

lsb_release -a

uname -a

Lucid Lynx (10.04 LTS) (Server support (only) until April 2015)
Oneiric Ocelot (11.10) (no longer supported)
Natty Narwhal (11.04) (no longer supported)
Maverick Meerkat (10.10) (no longer supported)
Karmic Koala (9.10) (no longer supported)
Hardy Heron (8.04 LTS) (no longer supported)
Dapper Drake (6.06 LTS) (no longer supported)

Ubuntu Forums has a large community for online solutions (for both Ubuntu and Kubuntu).
Kubuntu Forums has a large community for online solutions and help specific to Kubuntu.

Kubuntu uses the KDE user interface.

KDE Project team site and KDE Documentation
KDE Forums is the place to get detailed solutions for problems with the KDE desktop used in Kubuntu.

KDE Apps
GetDeb - Features the latest versions of software available from the official repositories as well as software not available in the official repositories. Available in easy-to-install .deb files (see Apt and Package Basics).
Linux Alternatives
LinuxLink provides "best in category" lists for Linux apps
Ubuntuguide's list of add-on applications.

Ubuntuguide -- Ubuntu uses the Unity (or, alternatively, the Gnome) desktop.
Lubuntu -- Lubuntu can run with as little as 256 Mb RAM. It is better for older machines with limited resources.
Edubuntu -- Edubuntu is a collection of software bundles optimized for use in educational environments. LTSP (thin client terminal server support) and many networking tools are bundled. A version for use with KDE (Kubuntu) is available.
SkoleLinux / DebianEdu -- a collection of (open-source) educational tools for Debian/Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu Doctors Guild -- a collection of tips for using (K)Ubuntu Linux in health care environments
official Ubuntu Server Guide -- a good starting reference for server packages